Friday, May 31, 2024

Close to My Heart has closed

 

When Close to My Heart closed, the CTMH Makers were invited to join Stampin" Up as a demonstrator.  Stampin' Up also worked with Close to My Heart to purchase some of the proprietary rights and knowledge to continue items from CTMH such as the two toned, white core papers, page protectors, and flipflaps.  Some of these might take some time, though through the transition we've been greeted with a warm generous welcome.


Links with crafty card ideas

 The best part of the CTMH sisterhood is how everyone SHARES!  I get ideas from Pinterest, but the best source is the FB pages.   One of my favorites I found posted on FB is  Liz Mullins Johnson. This is from September!! 

https://createwithliz.blogspot.com/2023/09/thank-you-pumpkin-card.html?m=1

https://createwithliz.blogspot.com/2023/09/thank-you-pumpkin-card.html?m=1



Brenda Rose

https://www.facebook.com/mypapercraftinglife

 



Monday, May 27, 2024

Sharing ART showing the new SU on color

 WOW!!! 

so simple and elegant!  
Sharing this from FB 
posted in
Demonstrator Planning Place
and her FB web site.

Made by 

Martina Gaydoul 



Martina stated she used the following: "the blenderbrushes and then watercolored the butterfly from the "Spotlight on Nature“ Set in each color, to make the 3x3“ cards."


The Wild Flower on the Peach Pie Color top left is from the WildFlower Designs stamp
2024–2026 IN COLOR™ CLASSIC STAMPIN' PADS

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Living the Crafty Happy Life!

 Life Happens - it's all good!

Regrets:

Wishing I'd been keeping up - recording what I've been doing, ideas I've found, and posting photos of the good times that bring me JOY! Oh! and doing better at keeping organized!!

Resolutions:

Never to late to hit "restart" with "renewed goals"!! 

With the closure of Close to My Heart and the switch over to Stampin' Up - it's a good time to organize and start posting new projects. 

Remembering:

April '24 was the first ladies' craft retreat I had at church. It was fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again. My crafting focus has been with kids at church. I plan to continue "Craft Camp" in August, but have it more focused on specific projects: 

  • "Journaling Books" will always be an option

  • "Paper Making" has been on my list forever.......

  •  and the Latest??  Creating jump ropes with T shirts! 

    I saw it posted on the GEMS Counselor web site. 

    The newest project I've found to create as a service project for our GEMS girls. (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)

 

 

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Maymay Made It

Found and sharing another great video 

This one is by "Maymay Made It".

I love her work and hope you enjoy her video.

10 cards!! 



Maymay shows you 10, YES 10! super easy to make cards that will use up those pattern that you may not like or use those large scraps!

"letting the papers do the work."  

She even provides all the measurements.  

Thanks Maymay!

~~Measurements~~  Card 1: Base is 7 1/2" x 5 1/2" score at 4 1/4" Front mat: 3" x 5 1/4" Side mat: 1 1/4" x 5 1/4" Sentiment mat: 2 3/4" x 5 1/4" Card 2:  Base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" score on the 8 1/2" sode at 4 1/4" to have an A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Front mat(floral): 3 3/4" x 5"  on this piece you will find the center and then measure down 1 1/2" , and then on both sides measure down 1"  ( see the video) (2) White mats that are 4" x 5 1/4" , one for the front and one for the inside Card 3 Base: A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (2) mats that 4" x 5 1/4" one for the front and one for the inside Floral piece is 3 3/4" x 4 1/4" Check piece is 3" x 4" Card 4  Base: A2 take cardstock that is 4 1/4" x 11" and score on the 11" side at 5 1/2" , this will make a top fold card base (2) mats 4" x 5 1/4" one for the front and one for the inside (4) strips  3/4" and long enough to extend over the edge of the mat Take the front mat and measure in 2" and  1 1/8" to find the point ( see the video) and then come up the side at 3 1/8" Card 5  Base: 11" x 5 1/2" score on the 11" side score at 1 1/4" ~~ 3  3/8" ~~ 7  5/8"  and 9 3/4" Inside mat 4" x 5 1/4" (2) of each mats for the large side front sections  1 3/4" x 5 1/4" and 1 1/2" x 5" (2) of each mats for the small front sections 1" x 5 1/4" and 3/4" x 5" Belly band 1" x 11" Card 6 Base: A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Floral piece  3 3/4" x 5" red piece  4" x 5 1/4" Card 7  Base: A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Mat 4" x 5 1/4" Strips 1" wide Card 8  Base: A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Focal piece is 4" x 4" cut a part that we cut into 1" strips Mat 4" x 5 1/4" Card 9  Base: A2 that measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Mat 4" x 5 1/4" A piece of cardstock that will hang over the edges of the card mat to create your angle( see the video) Card 10 Base: A2 that measures  4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Mat  4" x 5 1/4" Strips 1 1/4" and long enough of the mat

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Inspiration for "Thoughtful Tokens"

 Stamp of the Month, September 2023: Thoughtful Tokens

Spend $50 and get this stamp set for just $5 or get it FREE as a VIP.

Here's the link to get this stamp FREE!

Such an amazing stamp set - I LOVE so much about this set - the writing, butterfly, layers, vintage looks, EVERYTHING!!  
Great for both layouts and cards as shown by other consultants 
I've been "Collecting Inspirations".
AMAZING work by all Three Talented Ladies.

1.  Janice Gilhooley

2.  Chelsey Vorosmarty



3. Julie Carriere


Thanks to Julie, Janice, and Chelsey for sharing their amazing work!

Be sure to watch each video and thank them by subscribing and liking their work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdpug15yus's video:   


=he Best TIPS for Creating the Perfect...  

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Up-dating my blog

 Not sure how much I can post - will be focusing on my FB page - but also love looking back at the history of artwork and projects so look at my blog as a journal of my Crafty Happy Times. 

Here are the projects I need to work on and looking forward to posting:  also need to watch the videos to see the special techniques included.

You can also link to the CTMH blog and find ideas for projects, and links to tutorials.

https://blog.closetomyheart.com

So many ideas and projects, a couple on my to-do list are the following:

1. Cozy Up with Autumn-Inspired Sponging Techniques

https://blog.closetomyheart.com/2023/08/24/cozy-up-with-autumn-inspired-sponging-techniqes/

U-tube link:
https://youtu.be/wbVQBxc46d4


2. Travel down Memory Lane.

U-tube link:

https://youtu.be/lx2oEHV7Ft0

Blog:  https://blog.closetomyheart.com/2023/07/26/travel-down-memory-lane-with-this-technique-filled-scrapbooking-workshop/






Tuesday, July 5, 2022

July STOM Voice of the Sea

The CTMH July stamp of the month S2207, (Spend $50 and get this Stamp of the Month set for just $5.) "Voice of the Sea" is a set of 14 stamps. Beautiful sea/ocean imagesand simple sentiments.  You can see more art using this stamp set on Facebook: Melinda Everitt's CTMH Artwork Showcase
When I saw this stamp set, I wanted to show as many of the images as possible, so decided the slimline card could provide at least space for three, plus a 4th inside. Here's want I was able to create.  PROJECT # 1
Used: Square Windows Slimline Thin Cuts Z4104
Here's what I created.


Then I saw the "Writing in the Sand" stamp and sample art.  Loving the art in our catalogues, great inspiration!! Plus, I love the pop-out special fold card that provided space for all the art from this stamp set - WhooHoo! Mission accomplished!  I also wanted a card for a friend so Bingo! Done! & Done!
PROJECT #2
Used:
"Writing in the Sand" stamp set D2102 
I added additional stamps inside with the Pop & Twist special folds.

I used the Peacock Feathers distressed oxide for the blue, and colored the stamped items with the water color pencils then added water. The instructions for the mechanism is quite simple, I will find the link from Pinterest to add to this post.
 

Be sure to check out the FB posts for the July SOTM to get some great crafting ideas!  Remember, this SOTM is only available through July 31.  Contact your CTMH Maker (or click hereto see how you can get this stamp set for $5 or even FREE as a VIP!

Monday, June 20, 2022

CTMH techniques - Brilliant Banners


Check out Melinda Everitt's CTMH FB page: 

for more artwork using "Brilliant Banners".
 

 I created this party banner for a friend who's retiring. I used patterned paper, for the medallions. Cut them using the Cricut Artiste cartridge, (1.75") though you can cut strips of patterned paper, and score at 1/4 inch, accordion fold and glue ends - I use the double sided red tape. After forming the medallion, adhere it to a small cardstock circle/square on the back using liquid glass or hot glue to adjust the medallion into a tight circle, then add dove tailed matching cardstock, silver glitter scalloped circles (cut at 2.5 inches), and "ribbon" strips on each side of the blue dove tailed strip (1" width, length depends on the words).  I die cut the large alphabet letters using the Classic Alphabet Thin Cuts
Z3655 (added a vertical narrow strip of glitter paper on each letter; makes it look "see-through") and then stamped the rest of the word. Several of our alphabet stamps are currently on sale   
The large thin cut letters are great for layout titles (1 1/2 inches tall).
The scalloped circle was from the Art Philosophy cartridge.
See the source image
Be sure to check out the FB posts for more "Brilliant Banner"  crafting techniques!  Contact your CTMH Maker (or click hereto check out the promotions and see more great items to create.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

CTMH Hope & Kindness Artwork

 

Hope & Kindness; click for more info
Check out the Hope & Kindness special.  So beautiful!  It's an amazing collection, so many options, and you can save 20% with the Hope & Kindness Paper Bundle, which includes the Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet and Coordinating Cardstock. For even more savings, choose the Hope & Kindness Product Bundle that includes ALL of the Hope & Kindness products at a 25% discounted price! Offer available through June 30, 2022, while supplies last. Click HERE

I LOVE the doily and all the other options: stickers, lovely paper and stamp set. Where to start??

I used the Hope & Kindness coordinating cardstock from the Paper Bundle and stickers as well as fussy cut flowers from the paper.  The doily is cut from papaya card stock, the glitter trim is rose gold. the stitching around the edge is from the 05 white gel pen.  The card base is the dark Harbour cardstock from the Hope & Kindness Coordinating CS.  The inspiration for this card came from the Love of Color vol. 2 pages 12 & 13.  I turned the design on it's side. 

Thursday, May 5, 2022

May SOTM - You Can Do Anything Blog Hop

 

This month, CTMH Stamp of the Month is switching from a blog hop to posting our creations on 
Melinda Everitt's CTMH FB page: 
A couple weeks ago I was enjoying a day crop at the Fir's Conference Center in Bellingham, WA.  A friend was creating a panel card and I immediately knew what I wanted to do with the May SOTM mountain scene 
so here's the card that I was able to create.

This was really easy to do.  I masked the mountains to ink the sky using Distress Oxide inksThe sun is inked with Spiced Marmalade, the sky is layered with Chipped Sapphire and Peacock Feathers.
For the water reflection I used watercolor pencil (Ocean) and a little water. The shadows on the mountain were supposed to be Charcoal, though I grabbed the Chocolate watercolor pencil 😂- I must need new glasses!! LOL
The trees were stamped with Avocado ink and varied first/second generation stamping.
The panels were backed with Sapphire Card Stock

Be sure to check out the FB posts for the MAY SOTM to get some great crafting ideas!  Remember, this SOTM is only available through May 31.  Contact your CTMH Maker (or click hereto see how you can get this stamp set for $5 or even FREE as a VIP!

Monday, April 25, 2022

Wild Berry Blast Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Wild Berry Blast Blog Hop".

We’re crazy about our Color of the Year, Wild Berry, which is why we have introduced a special collection of exclusive products to celebrate it! From the Wild Berry Blast Paper Packet, featuring 6 sheets of patterned paper in a variety of fun designs, to the Coordinating Cardstock, which includes 6 standard two-toned cardstock sheets in this delicious shade and 6 additional sheets with single-sided foil or UV-coated designs, there are so many fun new ways to include Wild Berry in your crafting!

We’re also offering limited time discounts on existing Wild Berry items, such as cardstock, glitter paper, ribbon, shimmer trim, and more! These exclusive items and special savings are only available through April 30, so you’ll want to be sure to snap up these deals before they are gone! 

If you came here from ScrappinKaty you are on the right path!  The blog hop is a complete circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating Makers on Melinda's Blog HERE.  We have 9 CTMH Makers sharing their creations using products from the "Wild Berry" special.  This is simple to do; just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!  Here we Go! 

My order is still on it's way, I cannot wait to play with the paper pack and coordinating cardstock.  I've had the ink, ribbon, shimmer trim, paper, glitter gems, and loose sequins, since the beginning of the annual catalogue.  I even won some of the Wild Berry items when I participated in one of the Launch events. I'm using what I have and decided it would be a combination of Wild Berry and Stamp of the Month.   
No photo description available.
Process to create cardstock flowers
1. cut random circles 
2. spritz with water
3. scrunch into a tight wad
4. open and add wrinkles/creases for "petals"
5. let dry
6. ink edges
7. glue only the center of 2-3 layers
8. add a center glitter gem 
 

Now "Hop" on over to Lauren's CTMH Crafting to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the consultants on their blogs to get some great crafting ideas. Please leave a comment, we love your encouragement. This special is only available through April 30 while supplies last. To get any of the products you see, contact your CTMH Maker or click HERE.